Mel Tillis’ Family ‘Awed and Humbled’ By Love Following His Death

Mel Tillis' family is facing a difficult time following the country icon's death earlier this month, but they are certainly feeling the love from the beloved singer's fans. Tillis' daughter, country artist Pam Tillis, says she and her family have been overwhelmed by the support they've received.

On Facebook, Pam Tillis shared some thoughts about her father's passing, and thanks those who have reached out with love and prayers.

"We are so grief stricken," Tillis writes; however, she adds, "I am awed and humbled by his legacy and the outpouring of love and support we are receiving."

Over the course of his career, Tillis penned more than 1,000 songs, with approximately 600 recorded by other artists. He recorded more than 60 albums, and celebrated 36 Top 10 singles and nine No. 1s. His last studio album was You Ain’t Gonna Believe This from 2010. Tillis received the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the ACM in 2010 and the National Medal of Arts from then-President Barack Obama in 2012.

Mel Tillis died on Nov. 19 at the Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Fla., the city in which he was living. It is suspected that he died of respiratory failure. A memorial service took place in Florida on Nov. 25, and he was laid to rest on Nov. 27 in Clarksville, Tenn.

Fans will have the opportunity to honor Tillis at a public memorial service, which will be scheduled for January. More details about that event will be released at a later time.